2014
Women's Equality Day event highlights roles at work, home
Navy contractors begin drilling for two new ground water monitoring wells
Navy Region Hawaii - Storm Announcements
USS Denver Will Decommission After 46 Years of Service
Hawaii to welcome USS Preble and USS John Paul Jones
USS Lake Erie to depart for new homeport of San Diego
We're in this Together: One Suicide is One Too Many
Region 'Know Load' team helps Forest City residents
RIMPAC 2014 begins June 26
Impact of RIMPAC, balancing the benefits
USS Hopper assists successful missile intercept
Summer safety advice for RIMPAC participants
E komo mai means welcome
RIMPAC 2014 facts
Take care of Hawaii's environment during RIMPAC
USS North Carolina holds change of command
Welcome to our RIMPAC friends
USS Halsey (DDG 97) to Deploy to 7th Fleet Areas of Reponsibility
RIMPAC Sailors volunteer, learn about Native Hawaiian culture
Navy water consumers in Hawaii receive annual water quality report
Navy continues battle against coconut rhinoceros beetle
Visiting Sailors volunteer to clean historic Kalaeloa Heritage Park
Navy participates in public meeting on response to Red Hill fuel release
RIMPAC 2014 participants conduct sinking exercise
Ball cap wear policy to expand starting this September
Navy Region Hawaii sets Tropical Cyclone of Readiness Four
Navy Region Hawaii sets Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness Four
USS Lake Erie Visits Osaka
Navy in Hawaii combats sexual harassment, assault
USS Lake Erie completes western Pacific deployment
Wear testing begins for Lightweight Type I Navy Working Uniform
Navy releases name of Sailor who died June 8 at Maunalua Bay
Military urged to stay safe while enjoying summer activities
Pools open for summer season
Tips for Summer Safety
Drinking Water Remains Safe after Red Hill Leak Reported
Three pinholes found in Red Hill's empty tank 5
Navy begins visual inspection of tank at Red Hill
Navy to brief Hawaii lawmakers on Red Hill water safety
Forest City reinvests in military communities in Hawaii
Navy housing liaison shares energy saving tips
Navy rallies to conserve, reduce at Energy Action Day Fair
State, industry, port partners and U.S. military establish alternate port to enhance State of Hawaii's readiness
Theme of Hispanic Heritage Month emphasizes past, present, future
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month
Military, state reach new heights with crane blessing ceremony
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam hosts Women's Waterfront Symposium
Energy officials discusses Navy's future at summit
Hurricane season is still here - here comes Ana
"Know Load" tips can help residents conserve energy
Pearl Harbor Day: Let us not forget
Base brings burner to beetle battle to help prevent spread
Newspaper Archives
Admirals Commentaries
Energy security supports SECNAV, CNO goals
The role of chief: Backbone of our Navy, providing leadership
Showcasing excellence and pride at air show this weekend
'Take care of our people' is priority one
Energy Action Month: Moving from brown to green
Standing with Veterans: The meaning of 'Thank you for your service'
Lessons on working together from the past, present and into the future
Defining leadership: making a difference
Chosin and importance of perspective, reflections on namesake
Preserving Memory of Pearl Harbor Day, 'Greatest Generation'
'Pearl Harbor Colors' will honor military and families
Seizing the opportunity
Cooperative partnerships build stronger community
Vietnam War commemoration: 'Unity Over Self'
Battle of Sundra Strait lessons and need to be ready
In time of need NMCRS team supports our people, mission
'Communicating the value' of Hawaii's schools
Feeling of 'ohana' makes Hawaii special
It's an honor to lead Navy Region Hawaii/MIDPAC ohana
Service, summits show commitment to our people
Back to school, back to promoting summer safety
Remembering, Honoring, Celebrating: '70 Years of Peace'
Red Hill Fuel Facility is national strategic asset
Suicide prevention: '1 Small ACT' of kindness, hope
A Pearl Harbor perspective on remembering 9/11
Mid-September highlighted with awards, advancement
'Young enough to not die from smoking'
Stakeholder letter updates community about Red Hill
Recognizing, honoring humble heroes of WWII
Resolving to do more right in 2016
Press Releases
First 'Pearl Harbor Colors' Ceremony January 15
USS Halsey to return from deployment
Next 'Pearl Harbor Colors' Ceremony set for Feb. 26
Next 'Pearl Harbor Colors' Ceremony set for Mar. 19
Navy Confirms Death of Sailor Sunday in Hawaii
Alleged Hazardous Material Confiscated at JBPHH
Navy goes to Merrie Monarch
Green is color of Next 'Pearl Harbor Colors' Ceremony
Shipyard Personnel to Conduct 'Pearl Harbor Colors' Ceremony, Honor History and Heritage
USS Michael Murphy to return from Western Pacific Deployment
USNS Mercy and USNS Millinocket To Depart Hawaii for Pacific Partenership Deployment
Dock at USS Arizona Memorial Under Repair. Navy, Coast Guard Investigations Underway
Vietnam Veterans to be Honored at the Next 'Pearl Harbor Colors' Ceremony
Drinking Water Remains Safe in Red Hill Vicinity
Vietnam Veteran Tim Guard to Be the Guest Speaker at Thursday's 'Pearl Harbor Colors' Ceremony
Navy Region and MIDPAC Change of Command set for Friday
'Pearl Harbor Colors' Ceremony to Salute Youth
Red Hill Fuel Facility is a national strategic asset
'Pearl Harbor Colors' 70th anniversary of the end of WWII in the Pacific
Former POW Gerald Coffee to be guest speaker at Thursday's 'Pearl Harbor Colors' Ceremony
U.S. Navy signs EPA and state of Hawaii consent order
USS Preble to Return from Independent Deployment
Navy seeks public input at open house scoping meetings
USS Theodore Roosevelt to arrive in Pearl Harbor Sunday
Navy invites Board of Water Supply to tour Red Hill
Chinese Navy Ships to visit Hawaii Sunday
Navy to celebrate Festival of Lights in Pearl Harbor
USS Chafee to return home from independent deployment
Chief of Naval Personnel visits Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
COLA Living Pattern Survey takes place from Feb. 1 to March 1
Civilian helicopter goes down in Pearl Harbor
2015
Pearl Harbor Colors honors African Americans
Hawaii commands garner CNO environmental awards
Sailors say farewells as USS Preble departs to western Pacific
Mayor, City Council promote sexual assault prevention
Navy commands in Hawaii garner top environmental awards
Pearl Harbor Colors celebrates Women's History Month
Sea Cadets learn naval tradition, leadership skills
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society honors volunteers
NEX Earth Day Expo educates young minds about environment
Pearl Harbor Colors celebrates Earth Day and National Park Week
Military Children Recognized for Scholastic Achievements
JROTC Joins Worldwide 5K Run
Pearl Harbor Plants Pinwheels for Child Abuse Prevention
Joint Base rescues sea turtle
USS Chafee leaves on deployment
Leadership of two top military commands in Hawaii to change
Joint service ceremony marks anniversary of West Loch Disaster
Ogden relieves Collins as CO of USS Chung-Hoon
Teams work together to repair USS Arizona Memorial
Navy in Hawaii honors Vietnam veterans
Navy provides annual water reports to Navy water consumers in Hawaii
Student transition program makes sure military children feel welcome
U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosts 'Hiring Our Heroes'
Next Pearl Harbor Colors to highlight youth service
Sailors honor late Pearl Harbor survivor EMC Haag
Hawaii's history and military legacy perpetuated at regatta
Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange is one of 2014 Bingham Award winners
Navy Region Hawaii is conducting the command climate survey through July 31
Pearl Harbor Colors ceremony honors future service members, leaders
Tropical Depression Ela posed no threat, but is reminder
Drivers urged to use caution as school starts July 29
USS Preble enjoys Australian culture in Darwin
Congresswoman Gabbard tours Red Hill facility
Radford Transition Center helps students adjust
USS Paul Hamilton returns from deployment
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Holly Petraeus brings financial advice to Joint Base
USS Theodore Roosevelt visits Hawaii
Military, Honolulu officials rededicate site as war memorial
Pearl Harbor Colors ceremony honors Marine birthday
SECDEF Message: Celebrate the Holidays Safely
Veterans Day ceremony aboard Mighty Mo honors veterans
Navy makes strides toward energy efficiency in 2015
Japanese minister of defense visits USS Port Royal
Events to commemorate 74th anniversary of Pearl Harbor remembrance
McGinn tours Red Hill Fuel Facility during visit to Hawaii
Christmas Fire Safety
Pearl Harbor Remembrance to highlight 'Pathway to Reconciliation'

Lessons on working together from the past, present and into the future

Rear Adm. Rick Williams
11/14/14

By Rear Adm. Rick Williams, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific

Laulima is a word that represents “many hands working together for a common goal” in the Hawaiian culture.

This past Saturday, I attended the makahiki festival on Hickam Beach at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and observed laulima in action. It was great to see so many people from diverse cultures gathering together in an informal setting and enjoying the warm sun, good food, friendly competition and spirited conversation.

Members of our local Navy and Air Force community had the opportunity to meet local Hawaiian civic and cultural leaders to learn more about each other and discover common goals and values sometimes hidden by perceived cultural differences.

Hawaiian cultural practitioner Shad Kane, the coordinator of the event and a Navy vet himself, described the makahiki as a traditional Hawaiian festival that provided an opportunity for the Hawaiian community to come together in the interest of building new relationships and nurturing old ones.

In ancient Hawaiian history the Hawaiian people would come together in their various regions during the harvest season and celebrate the bounty of the year. It was a time to build relationships with games, food and interaction between nobility and the people. It was the only time the fisherman, farmer and artisan could safely interact on a one-on-one basis with their chief.

Everyone recognized that the whole community survived because of the role that each individual played in providing the necessary means of sustenance in their agrarian society. These relationships would prove beneficial in times of peace, when the whole community would rely on the product that each member provided, and in times of war when the chiefs and their military lieutenants would lead these same people into battle.

One of the benefits of a cultural immersion event like the makahiki is the opportunity it affords for learning new lessons and gaining a new perspective on experiences common to every culture.

This week marks the 72nd anniversary of the decisive naval Battle of Guadalcanal, when Imperial Japan’s nearly successful attempt to bombard the American Marines off of Henderson field and off of Guadalcanal from the sea was soundly defeated by American naval forces.

In the months leading up to November of 1942, the U.S. Navy suffered repeated defeats in the waters around Guadalcanal as the Japanese forces exhibited superior capability in many aspects of equipment, tactics and night fighting doctrine to establish sea-control in the opening days of the campaign.

Our naval forbearers would soon apply lessons learned from those defeats and seize the day.

Though the battle that had begun in August of 1942 would not end until February of 1943, the U.S. Navy’s persistence despite heavy losses ultimately won the day, and we know now that following the naval Battle of Guadalcanal, the Japanese began formulating plans for retreat from the Solomon Islands.

As Adm. Halsey wrote: “We seized the offensive from the enemy. Until then he had been advancing at his will. From then on he retreated at ours.”

I can’t help but reflect on the laulima exhibited by our nation’s armed forces in that critical season of our history.

The struggle for Guadalcanal would prove to be a watershed moment in the Pacific theater when America’s diverse military forces would be forced in the heat of battle to work together to develop the necessary joint objectives, techniques and tactics that would defeat their common enemy.

The lessons learned from Guadalcanal and the joint spirit that it engendered, though imperfect, would be tailored and molded throughout the remainder of the war and lead to an eventual overwhelming victory against a tough and determined enemy.

That same spirit also transcends international lines today.

At a recent maritime security challenge conference in Victoria, British Columbia, Adm. Harris reflected on the importance of multi-national exercises like RIMPAC that establish dialogue and cooperation between the military forces of the nations of the Pacific Rim where so much of the world’s maritime trade occurs—in other words, nations where peaceful interchange and maritime security represents a common goal. As Harris stated, “There are three great ships that sail the high seas—friendship, partnership and leadership.”

Each year the makahiki helps us discover new friendships, re-establish old ones and learn the benefits of laulima from a new perspective.

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